Position Snapshot
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organization | Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) — Software Engineering Institute (SEI), Rapid Fielding of High Assurance (RFHAS) Directorate |
| Location | Arlington, Virginia or Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Position Type | Full-Time, Staff – Regular |
| Job Function | Software/Applications Development/Engineering |
| Pay Basis | Salary |
| Posted | October 29, 2026 |
| Application Deadline | Not specified (open until filled) |
Role Overview
The SEI conducts research and development and advances software engineering practices, serving as a national resource in software engineering and computer security. It works closely with academia, defense and government organizations, and industry to continually improve software-intensive systems.
The Rapid Fielding of High Assurance (RFHAS) directorate conducts R&D to accelerate the fielding of software-reliant systems with high assurance. This involves accelerating and automating the development cycle to support continuous development while incorporating assurance techniques—including Model-Based Systems Engineering—in a practical and scalable way, plus the automating power of AI for Software Engineering (SE) and SE to exploit the power of AI with high confidence.
As AI Safety Lead, you will work closely with researchers and engineers to lead, plan, and execute customer projects addressing the challenges of exploiting AI in software development and incorporating AI into software systems while ensuring safe operation. You will ensure project performance meets expectations, deliverables are on time, and projects meet customer needs, partnering across SEI technical and support staff to create a culture of technical excellence, creativity, and innovation.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop AI Safety Technical solution strategies in conjunction with the leadership team.
- Lead planning and execution of AI Safety projects, ensuring plans are sound and aligned with the state of the art and customer expectations.
- Coordinate across SEI and CMU support functions to ensure project teams have what they need to execute.
- Serve as primary technical liaison to customers, conducting regular project reviews to ensure projects meet their needs and adjusting accordingly.
- Contribute to strategic planning using customer feedback and project performance data to develop future technical directions.
- Represent the RFHAS technical portfolio in AI and AI Safety with customers and internal collaborators.
- Help develop a team culture that fosters innovation, technical excellence, and leadership.
Qualifications
Required
- Education & Experience (one of the following):
- BS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related discipline with 10 years of experience; OR
- MS in the same fields with 8 years of experience; OR
- PhD in the same fields with 5 years of experience.
- Willingness to travel outside your office location to other SEI offices, sponsor sites, conferences, and offsite meetings.
- Subject to a background investigation and must be able to obtain and maintain a Department of War security clearance.
Who You Are
- Technical Leadership: Experience managing complex technical projects from initiation through delivery—planning and scheduling, resource coordination, risk tracking, milestone management, and assessments; able to organize cross-functional teams and keep execution on track across multiple concurrent efforts.
- Solutions Engineer: Able to build and maintain strong customer relationships, conduct regular check-ins, gather feedback, and translate customer needs into actionable technical requirements.
- Quality-Driven: Ensures deliverables meet mission partner expectations and SEI standards; conducts project reviews, identifies quality gaps, develops corrective actions, and verifies safety, security, and compliance standards.
- Outcome-Focused: Driven by a sense of duty to deliver outcomes that advance the state of the art and practice for analyzing, assuring, and countering software systems to enhance National Security.
- Communicator and Collaborator: Outstanding written and oral communication skills; able to synthesize complex technical information into clear status updates, risk assessments, and executive briefings.
How to Apply
Application Link
Additional Notes for Applicants
- Benefits: Comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance; generous retirement savings program with employer contributions; tuition benefits; ample paid time off and observed holidays; life and accidental death and disability insurance; free Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus pass; access to the Family Concierge Team for childcare needs; fitness center access, and more.
- Compensation Philosophy: CMU values the whole package when extending offers—evaluating the role and responsibilities, work experience, and knowledge gained through education and training, alongside credentials.
- Equal Opportunity: Carnegie Mellon University is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran. CMU does not discriminate in admission, employment, or administration of programs or activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, or handicap in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, or other applicable federal, state, or local laws or executive orders.
- About CMU: Visit “Why Carnegie Mellon” to learn more about becoming part of an institution inspiring innovations that change the world.
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